This Hindi movie is a pretty straightforward slice-of-life story that tries to give a modern look at what it's like to be a single, professional gay man. It dives into how he understands who he is, the chances he missed out on, and the personal choices he’s made along the way. The director used three parallel timelines to tell the story, which honestly didn't make much sense to me. While the core idea was actually pretty interesting, I really feel like this would have worked way better as a short film considering the point it was trying to make. Still, it wasn't a bad watch. The plot centers on Rachit, a city professional, and his friend Shikhar as they hang out for an evening. Rachit is a polished, urban guy, while Shikhar has more of a "small-town" rustic vibe, and you can really see the contrast between them when they talk. As the night goes on, Rachit starts thinking back to some old memories from a long time ago. He remembers being an intern after college in ...
With a capacity of over 1000, this cavernous club and adjoining cabaret called The Backlot attracted hordes of mostly white gay men and the Hollywood elite throughout such historical touchstones as the sexual revolution and the height of the AIDS crisis. The makers have conducted dozens of interviews for his film, from Studio One staff, most touchingly Michael Koth, a former bartender, who describes the devastating loss over the years and his own personal struggles. There’s a hilarious interview with a dancer named Jimmy, who became a local celebrity, and who makes the distinction between dancing on a box and dancing on a stage. He also gets vivid and humorous stories from the likes of such other showbiz icons. In a documentary filled with beautiful memories, I was glad to see it not shy away from its ugly past, like no women or men of color were allowed. This was strictly for white males. Also, as disco fell out of favor, and the AIDS epidemic began, the club experienced troubled times. The emotional stories of grief and loss recounted in the film are, as expected, heartbreaking. But there are other emotional accounts by interviewees that illustrate gay men’s experiences during the era.
The pacing of the film is energetic but this partly stems from having so many interviewees who, even in the case of those who return to the screen several times, comment rather briefly. Less contributors and more detailed personal recollections would have helped the film to sustain its impact for a wider audience. It feels all too characteristic when the film acknowledges yet fails to investigate in-depth accusations. The film is sometimes adventurous and is often lively but, even though it builds up a special show reunion at The Backlot in 2019 and emphasizes the tension over the challenge to prevent the demolition work, the movie lacks the depth and weight that a closer study of the gay context in Hollywood in the days of Studio One could have provided. This documentary may be best appreciated by those who knew or have been to the club — as the interviewees’ trips down memory lane attest. But this documentary also provides an engaging history for viewers curious about gay history. (4/10)
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